Media & Publications

KFAS News

ff8b3372-4085-4c94-9261-f399956087af

Professional Development Initiative 2018

September 10, 2017

The Professional Development Initiative (PDI) is a signature program developed by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the United States, the Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait (MOHE), the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC). It is an important success story in promoting capacity-building in the Arab world.

Basic requirements include having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and graduating within standard MOHE timelines (usually 4 years for Bachelor's, 2 years for Master's programs). The PDI provides Kuwaiti students on F-1 visas in the United States with a well-targeted, year-long Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunity to work with a U.S. company before returning home.

The PDI includes:

Job placement with a U.S. firm matching your skills and interests

Marketing you to companies relevant to your degree and interests

Coaching to prepare you for interviews

Assistance with work documentation paperwork

Negotiation of job offers with U.S. host companies on your behalf

Leadership training, led by experts in the field, before you begin work and monthly throughout the PDI term

Networking with PDI fellows around the country

Being mentored by a PDI "alumnus" who has completed the program

Liaising with the Kuwait MOHE to ensure your OPT stipend is approved and sent to you when your work begins.

These PDI program partners identify prospective PDI applicants, screen your applications, and name the finalists in this highly competitive program. NUSACC will match up these finalists, based on degree, skills, and interests, with appropriate host companies in the United States. NUSACC will work with you to consider your preferred companies. Candidates must be willing to relocate.

Click here to apply for the PDI program. The deadline for applications is October 15th, 2017. The password for the application is 18pdi.